Harper Macleod has confirmed its current batch of second year trainees are going into qualified positions across the firm.

Amy Devlin and Kirsten Morrison join the insurance and reparation practice group, Elisa Walker and Fiona Macleod move to recoveries and insolvency, Catriona Borland goes to employment, pensions and incentives while Karen Cameron is moving to the real estate practice in Inverness.

The firm will also take on seven new trainees in its September 2009 intake.

Harper Macleod chairman Professor Lorne Crerar, said: "We congratulate our six newly qualified lawyers who have trained with us over the past two years and whose skills will be retained to the benefit of our clients.

"The firm is committed to continue to further develop and encourage our young talent. We have also been able to commit to our new cadre of trainees and all seven commence their training contracts on August 31.

"Our key strategic aim in sustainable growth is the advancement of our very talented pool of lawyers and non-lawyers.

Our results for the first quarter of this financial year give clear indicators that our strategy is working effectively."

The firm has also created new packaged products targeting high technology start-ups and creative arts companies.

The Innovation Services pack offers fixed-fee assistance in areas such as securing investment, engaging and rewarding talent and protecting, developing and exploiting innovative ideas. The Creative Arts product aims to assist organi-sationin attending to both legal matters specific to their sector, and in identifying risks involved in their business and taking action.

A fixed-fee option includes a creative health check service which reviews the client's business, what it does, who it works with and the legal arrangements in place with a view to identifying and quantifying spe-cifilegal risks. Jamie Watt, practice group leader of the branding technology media and innovation group, said: "Legal matters are relevant to any business, particularly those working within the technology and creative arts sectors, where it's acutely important to have a concrete foundation from which innovation, creativity and entrepreneurialism can flourish. Finding the right advisor who understands these sectors, and who can help a business to negotiate the complexities of the law is crucial.

"Business needs certainty that their assets are protected and relationships watertight. More so now, they need to achieve this on a cost effective level."